The thoughts and perceptions of an aspiring writer on life and the world around her

A Series of Unfortunate Events: The Musical – “Friends on the Other Side”

The next morning at sunrise, Count Olaf goes to Madame Lulu’s tent where she apparently reveals that one of the Baudelaire parents is still alive and in the Mortmain Mountains. Though in the book, the Baudelaires mainly hear about it from the Hook-Handed Man who mainly wakes them up to get ready for the day. Yet, they don’t really know what to think anymore because they spent the last 7-8 books thinking their parents are dead. Thus, the kids decide to venture into her tent when they can. In the show, Madame Lulu tells Count Olaf actually shows which parent has survived, revealing Beatrice in her dragonfly costume. Either way, this doesn’t mean what the fortune teller says is true. But it’s the answer Olaf wants and he’ll go with that.

Anyway, the song I selected here is “Friends on the Other Side” from The Princess and the Frog. In the original Dr. Facilier invites Prince Naveen and his valet into his place where the magic happens. He reads them their fortune but he transforms the spoiled and lazy prince into a frog. Still, it’s quite a creepy scene if you ask me as he consults his ghostly “friends from the other side.” In this version, I have Madame Lulu giving Count Olaf the answer he wanted.

“Friends on the Other Side” (ASOUE Version)

Sung by Olivia Caliban (as Madame Lulu)

Olivia:
Don’t you disrespect me, Count Olaf!
Don’t you derogate or deride!
You’re in my world now
Not your world
And I got friends on the other side!

Carnival Staff:
She’s got friends on the other side…

Olivia:
That’s an echo, folks. Just a little something we have here at the Caligari Carnival, a little parlor trick. Don’t worry…

Sit down at my table
Put your minds at ease
If you relax it will enable me to do anything I please
I can read your future
I can change it ’round some, too
I’ll look deep into your heart and soul
(you do have a soul, don’t you, Esme?)
Make your wildest dreams come true!

I got voodoo
I got hoodoo
I got things I ain’t even tried!
And I got friends on the other side.

Carnival Staff:
She’s got friends on the other side!

Olivia:
The cards, the cards, the cards will tell
The past, the present, and the future as well!
The cards, the cards, just take three
Take a little trip into your future with me!

Now you, dear Count, come from the city
Pursuing three orphans from old money
(Come from old money myself on my mother’s side)
Your lifestyle’s high
But your funds are low
You need to steal rich kids’ money whose parents’ went gone!

But Bea or Bert may be around, huh, Olaf?
Now they oughta be dead, but one might be alive.
You just want their cash.
And the kids off your case.

But where could they be?
It’s the where, it’s the where, it’s the where you need
And in the Mortmain Mountains
You’ll find who you’ll need!

But do you mind, I don’t want to waste much time
Could you help me and spare some time?
My carnival needs more customers and my caravan needs more dough.
Otherwise if we don’t…
Then my carnival will surely close down
But in the future, if you help me
Then you’ll surely see more of the Caligari!

Shake my hand.
Come on, Olaf.
Won’t you shake the poor sinner’s hand?

Yes…
Are you ready?

Carnival Staff:
Are you ready?

Olivia:
Are you ready?
Revelation central!

Carnival Freaks:
Revelation central!

Olivia:
Revelation central!

Carnival Staff:
Revelation central!

Olivia:
Revelogrification central!
Can you see it?
I’ve explained it
I’ve explained it
I’ve explained it
I’ve explained it, all right!
I hope you’re satisfied
But if you ain’t
Don’t blame me!!
You can blame my friends on the other side!

Carnival Staff:
You got what you wanted!
But you didn’t get what you need!